MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Hi
Im a fairly experienced skier but have only ever been on package holidays, which as it turns out may be a bit of a schoolboy error
We've just booked a completely DIY trip to the Alps and it was actually cheaper all in than the usual suspects
In particular Ive only just realised that the "great" offers Crystal claim on ski passes are actually more expensive than the identical one Mrs Miggins has fixed us up with at our gaff
Skis are another rip off it would appear
For the same price as the Crystal 'intermediate' package the local hire shop have collected our stats and will drive round to Mrs Miggin's with a selection of shiny/advanced gear for us to try. Obvs Im a bit upset to miss out the usual first morning cattle market at the hire shop but I'll cope!
My prob is that despite being a decent skier Ive never really paid any attention to the kit, I just put it on and ski but at the price level Ive gone for I need to make a choice:
1) Freeride - errr no thanks Im not stupid
2) Race - again I think not
3) All mountain - sure Ive heard that term before LOL and sounds reasonable
4) Carving - I understand the concept but have no experience
The carving skis sound worth a punt, Ive been reading up online but Id love to hear from anyone who has real world experience.
My plan is to spend the week cruising reds and the occasional black, nothing fancy
Cheers
If you plan to stay on the piste all week get the carving ones. If you are doing a mixture of pistes and off piste even if its just off the side of the piste into the powder at the side then get the all mountain package.
3) or 4) depending on how you ski. 4) will be a slalom ski and 3) with be a wider ski with only a slightly larger turning radius. If you'll be spending all week on piste then 4) will be lots of good, fast fun.
In particular Ive only just realised that the "great" offers Crystal claim on ski passes are actually more expensive than the identical one Mrs Miggins has fixed us up with at our gaff
Unlikely, they're normally exactly the same for the same area / duration.
Just start off with Carvers if you're only doing piste stuff.
I prefer to book flights, transfers and accommodation as a package though a holiday company as these are often the best or near enough the best prices.
For the passes and ski hire I've often found cheaper to get sort this out yourself. The holiday companies will have a fixed price pass for the whole season. Where as the resort's ticket office will have group or elderly discount or half day passes. When asked the hol companies won't price match.
As for ski's I agree about the advice above, carving skis for 100% on piste, all mountain for venturing off a little bit.
I find what hire shops describe as a carving ski is a bit floppy if you like to ski fast on piste. Race skis are better for fast piste skiing. That said all mountain is a good option if there is a bit a powder around and will be fine on a groomed piste, too.
You can get a good deal on in resort ski hire by booking in advance. This'll give you the option swap if it doesn't quite work how you like or a chance to try some different skis in different conditions.
The holiday companies will have a fixed price pass for the whole season. Where as the resort's ticket office will have group or elderly discount or half day passes. When asked the hol companies won't price match.
Not true. We got a discount over NY as the resort had reduced the cost of an area pass, so TotalSki refunded everyone at the end of the week. Been skiing with tour operators for ages and the pass price has always been exactly the same as the resort price.
All Mountain/Enduro skis all the way these days. Still have a good side cut and a stiff enough construction, but with the added bonus of being great fun to dick about on (on and off piste) and great in any sort of ropey conditions
just go into a decent shop at the resort, tell them how you like to ski, and hire them there. Change them the next day if you don't like them.
Carving skis sounds a bit old school now. I would have thought an all-mountain ski that's not too fat, like the modern equivalent of a rossi bandit.
I'd suggest the all mountain skis. Most of them will carve pretty well and are more forgiving and less 'poppy' than race or race derived carve skis. Then you can use them in bumps and terrain without feeling like they are trying to kill you.
[url] http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/the-stw-ski-snowboard-thread-the-2015-2016-season ][/url]
Like Nick I like race skis but find the proper "FIS" race skis to much like hard work (I'm 68kg), especially as the rule changes mean a very long radius on the giant skis. My favourites are non-FIS slalom skis such as [url= http://www.proskilab.fr/ski-test/2016/Dynastar/Omeglass-Pro.php ]Dynastar Omeglas pro[/url]
You need to be strong to ski race giant skis. One descent on Junior's Atomic GS skis and it's back to the appartement to pick up the Omeglas so my knees will survive the day.
Thanks all
Buy my Rossignol Bandit B2s? They'll fit the bill.
Buy my Rossignol Bandit B2s? They'll fit the bill.
I also have some B2s in the loft, which I replaced with some rossi s86s, which are excellent. Everyone was saying what a 'single-quiver' ski they were, which is probably why rossi stopped doing them !
Good old bandits - what is the current version
Yes, OP juts get the carvers and have fun